DoD's Air Force Awards $4.9M for Paint Booth Control System, Lacking Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,897,247 ($4.9M)
Contractor: Guardian Construction, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-07-07
End Date: 2026-06-08
Contract Duration: 336 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: PAINT BOOTH ENVIRONMENT CONTROL REPLACEMENT AND DESIGN
Place of Performance
Location: NELLIS AFB, CLARK County, NEVADA, 89191
State: Nevada Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $4.9 million to GUARDIAN CONSTRUCTION, INC. for work described as: PAINT BOOTH ENVIRONMENT CONTROL REPLACEMENT AND DESIGN Key points: 1. Significant investment in specialized environmental control for aircraft maintenance. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about price discovery and potential cost savings. 3. Contract duration of 336 days suggests a focused, project-specific need. 4. Geographic location in Nevada may influence local contractor availability and pricing.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $4.9M for a paint booth environment control system is substantial. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to assess if this price is optimal compared to similar specialized HVAC or industrial equipment installations.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating a lack of available competition or a specific justification for not seeking multiple bids. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition for this $4.9M contract means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for the required environmental control system.
Public Impact
Ensures compliance with environmental and safety regulations for aircraft painting operations. Supports critical Air Force maintenance capabilities, potentially impacting readiness. Investment in specialized infrastructure for a specific base or facility.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price negotiation.
- High contract value without clear competitive benchmark.
- Potential for cost overruns due to lack of market pressure.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical operational need for the Air Force.
- Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty once awarded.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the construction and specialized equipment sector, specifically related to industrial environmental controls. Spending benchmarks for similar large-scale HVAC or specialized facility upgrades can vary widely based on complexity and location.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Guardian Construction, Inc. There is no indication of small business participation or subcontracting requirements in the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were excluded or had opportunities.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure the contractor meets performance standards and adheres to the firm fixed price. The sole-source nature necessitates careful monitoring of contract modifications and final costs to prevent potential waste.
Related Government Programs
- Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Limited transparency on justification
Tags
plumbing-heating-and-air-conditioning-co, department-of-defense, nv, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $4.9 million to GUARDIAN CONSTRUCTION, INC.. PAINT BOOTH ENVIRONMENT CONTROL REPLACEMENT AND DESIGN
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GUARDIAN CONSTRUCTION, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $4.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-07-07. End: 2026-06-08.
What specific factors justified the sole-source award for this paint booth control system, and were alternative solutions or contractors considered?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or a lack of other responsible sources. For this contract, the specific reasons are not detailed. Further investigation into the contracting officer's justification would be required to understand why competition was deemed impractical or impossible, and if any market research was conducted to identify potential competitors.
How does the $4.9M contract value compare to industry benchmarks for similar paint booth environment control systems, considering the firm fixed price structure?
Without specific details on the system's technical specifications, size, and features, a direct benchmark comparison is challenging. However, $4.9M is a significant sum, suggesting a complex, large-scale installation. The firm fixed price offers cost certainty for the government, but the lack of competition means the price might not reflect the most cost-effective market rate achievable through competitive bidding.
What is the potential impact of this sole-source contract on the Air Force's long-term maintenance capabilities and operational readiness?
A well-executed contract for a critical paint booth control system can enhance maintenance capabilities by ensuring environmental compliance and efficiency, thereby supporting operational readiness. However, a sole-source award carries the risk of suboptimal pricing or potential delays if the chosen contractor faces unforeseen issues. The long-term effectiveness hinges on the system's reliability and the contractor's performance.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Building Equipment Contractors › Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 360 SOUTH FORT LANE BLDG #1 , STE D, LAYTON, UT, 84041
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,897,247
Exercised Options: $4,897,247
Current Obligation: $4,897,247
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-07-07
Current End Date: 2026-06-08
Potential End Date: 2026-06-08 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-05
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